What Are Some Tips You Can Follow When Shopping Online?

By Frank Coutinho | Jun 12, 2018

Photo by: PexelsHow Can Shop Safely Online?

Online shopping has now officially surpassed brick and mortar stores for sales online. There are many conveniences with online shopping, and it is relatively easier to go shopping online to save time and get better deals quickly. However, online shopping is convenient but at the same time, it can also be potentially dangerous to shop online such as fraud. Nevertheless, one cannot altogether avoid shopping online as it has become a necessity in today's day and age. Here is an easy guide to smart shopping online to help you keep safe.

Browsing

Initially, you need to understand that using a reliable browser is the best option while deciding to shop online. You can use either Chrome or Firefox; the best option is using these browsers interchangeably. If you are using two browsers at the same time then you minimize your chances of an online security threat from hackers. For example, you can use Chrome for transactions login and Firefox for casual browsing. You can also use chrome shopping extensions to help you find deals online which can help you save both time and money.

Another essential tip is to check for the URL that is displayed in the address bar above the browsing window. While opening websites that require sensitive data transactions or user login details for shopping you need to check for the URL. Check for the HTTPS extension at the beginning of the URL. This indicates that it is safe to browse. Remember if you are about to check into a legitimate shopping website and it does not contain HTTPS then it is better that you do not log into it as you risk falling a prey to Phishing.

Passwords

Often we have a habit of continuing with the same password for a long time, this compromises your security. In order to be safer online, it is essential to keep changing your passwords at a given interval of time especially during the holiday season. You need to change the passwords of your banking services, e-mail accounts and online shopping services that are similar to Amazon. Another thing to keep in mind is choosing a password that does not includes phrases or words. A password can be a composition of random words that can be separated by commas or spaces. However, you need to keep in mind that only websites like Microsoft accounts accept spaces within passwords including Amazon and Google. To be on the safe side, when you are done shopping you can again change your passwords to ensure the safety of your account.

Log Out

Many times, it so happens that you forget to either log out of your account or just hit the X to close the window. This way your account is still logged in and it becomes insecure as the cookies are stored that might be used for hacking your account. Make it a habit to log out of your account after you are done shopping, after using your e-mails or other such services that require login details along with passwords.

VPN

VPN or Virtual Private Network can be utilized to encrypt the web traffic. In case, if you do not have the option available then you can use an alternate program for securing your network. Downloading options like TOR for Mac and Windows, downloading software like LogMeIn Hamachi or an option like a HotSpot Shield suited to Mac and Windows users are good alternatives. These programs will keep you safe while you shop or make transactions online via shopping website.

Paying options

During the holiday seasons, the web traffic is large and there are many opportunities for hackers to get their hands on the financial details of a user. However, you can stay safe by utilizing a credit card to pay for your online shopping. This will also keep you safe from any kind of online fraudulent practices. Comparatively paying with a debit card is relatively risky as your PIN, other details can be compromised, and you may lose a lot of cash.

Implementing all the above tips will help you stay safe while you are shopping online.

Wellness Minute

If a person works at a standard 9-5 job from graduating college until retiring in their sixties, they have spent around one-third of their life at work. Previously, employees put less emphasis on intrinsic motivation and the transcendental value of their work. However, times have now changed. People are no longer seeing their careers as separate parts from their personal lives, but as a big component of their personal lives. They understand the investment of time they are putting into their work, and want to ensure they enjoy and find meaning in the work that they do.

The Best Practice Institute recently completed a groundbreaking study on emotional connectedness in the workplace, and how it can drastically impact employee performance and engagement in the workplace. They completed a global survey of 150 employees from Fortune 1000 companies, and here is some of the interesting information they found.

1. Compensation and Motivation

Contrary to popular belief, compensation is not the primary motivator for employees. In fact, compensation is cited only 1/3 as important from the organization.

2. What boosts employee performance.

The data from their surveys show that ninety-four percent of employees are likely to perform more for a company that they love. While ninety-five percent report that they are two to four times more likely to stay longer if they felt emotionally connected to their workplace.

3. People's general feelings to the workplace.

According to the Best Practice Institute's research, around forty-one percent of people love their current workplace, thirty-six percent of people are neutral to their current workplace, and twenty-two percent of people dislike their workplace. While these may not be hard solid numbers for every organization, they are estimates that can be reasonably used.

4. Office perks vs respect.

Telecommuting, free office food, and other office perks are actually not on the top of the wish list for employees. The survey showed that time and again, respect is the most important motivating factor for performance, retention, and emotional connectedness.

5. Employee's hearts cannot be bought, it must be respected.

In an age where companies are trying new performance-related compensation packages, new strategies, and new benefits to create a conducive environment, the results are showing that these plans are ineffective. Above everything else, the most desired commodity an organization can offer their employees is respect. Employees must feel valued, and that their work matters.

About the Best Practice Institute

Founded by social/organizational psychologist, entrepreneur, and investor Louis Carter in 2001, Best Practice Institute is an award-winning leadership development center, product development incubator, solutions provider, research institute and online learning portal with more than 10,000 corporate and individual learning members around the world. Thousand’s of talent executives utilize BPI’s constantly evolving resources, developed under the direction of its Senior Executive Board made up of CHROs, CTOs, CLOs and Global Heads of Talent from some of the world’s most successful companies.